Apparatus for vibrating investing material



- Dec. 29, 1936. s JEFFER|E$ 2,065,977

APPARATUS FOR YIBRATING INVESTING MATERIAL F iled June 15, 1935 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Zhwentor 5'. Jefieries BB WW I Gttorneg Dec. 29, 193.6.s. JEFFERIES 2,055,977

APPARATUS FOR VIBRATING INVESTING MATERIAL Filed June 15, 1935 2Sheets-Sheet 2 nventor 5. L. Jai /cries.

Gttorneg Patented Dec. 29, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUSFOR VIBRATING INVESTING MATERIAL 14 Claims.

My invention relates to apparatus for manipulating investing material,in the formation of moulds, used for casting small articles, such as areordinarily employed in dental work.

An important object of the invention is to provide apparatus of theabove mentioned character, which may be employed to subject theinvesting material to a vibrating or jarring action, while securelyholding the assembled parts of such apparatus against displacement.

A further object of. the invention is to provide simple and reliablemeans to releasably secure the flask to the cover, against displacement,and which may be quickly and conveniently adjusted.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for detachablymounting the cover upon a supporting element, which is arranged in anupright position in use, and may serve as a handle or pedestal.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the abovementioned character which will permit of the use of one or more sprues.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the abovementioned character which is compact, simple, and convenient to use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent duringthe course of. the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and inwhich like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout thesame,

Figure l is a side elevation of apparatus embodying my invention,showing the same arranged upon a vibrating element,

Figure 2 is a. central vertical longitudinal section through theapparatus,

Figure 2a is a central vertical section through the finished mould,

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the several elements constituting theapparatus, showing the same separated, for the purpose of illustration,

Figure 5 is a central vertical longitudinal section, parts broken away,through a slightly modified form of apparatus embodying the invention,

Figure 6 is a plan view of a further modified form ofv apparatusembodying my invention,

Figure '7 is a central vertical longitudinal section through the same,

Figure 8 is a central vertical longitudinal section through a furthermodified form of apparatus embodying my invention, and,

Figure 9 is a similar view through a further modified form of apparatusembodying the invention.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration are shownpreferred embodiments of my invention, attention being called first toFigures 1 to 4, inclusive, the numeral l0 designates a vibratingelement, which may be in the form of, a flat board or plank, which maybe pivotally supported at one end, as shown at H, while its opposite endis supported by a toothed wheel 12, rotated in the direction of thearrow, by any suitable means. The rotation of the wheel l2 causes theelement In to vibrate in a vertical plane. The vibrating element It!need not be pivoted at H, but may be held in one hand, in engagementwith the wheel I2, and the device to be vibrated held in the other handupon the element.

The apparatus for forming the mould from the investing material,comprises an elongated tubular supporting element l3, adapted to serveas a handle or pedestal, vertically arranged in use, and preferablyformed cylindrical. This elongated tubular supporting element isprovided at its lower end with an enlarged base l4, detachably securedthereto, and upon which the same rests, without liability of tippingover. This base M has a cylindrical coupling M, for insertion in thelower end of the tubular pedestal l3, and is clamped therein by a setscrew 15', as shown. This tubular supporting element I3 has its upperend receiving the cylindrical coupling 16 of a flask cover IT. Thecoupling I6 is tubular and has a preferably cylindrical bore l8,extending longitudinally and centrally thereof.

The cover I1 is provided with annular steps I9, and an annular flask ormoulding cap 20 is mounted upon the cover l1, and snugly receives one ofthe annular steps IS in its lower end. The flask 20 is preferablylongitudinally tapered and increases in diameter downwardly. The flask20 receives the investing material 2!, which sets and produces themould. The cover I! is provided centrally thereof with an upwardlybulging portion 22, to form the crucible recess 23, in the finishedmould. This upwardly bulging por tion 22 has a recess 24, which istapered, increases in diameter upwardly, and leads at its lower end intothe bore N3 of the tubular coupling I6. This recess 24 is adapted toreceive wax 25, or the like.

The numeral 26 designates sprues, the upper portions 21 of which arepreferably angularly arranged and inclined outwardly. The end portions21 of these sprues carry wax patterns or matrices 28, corresponding tothe shape and size of the articles to be cast. Instead of the endportions 2'! carrying a number of separate patterns or matrices 28, theymay carry one large pattern or matrix, when it is desired to have aplurality of sprue holes leading to a large pattern cavity. The patternsor matrices 28 may be formed in the usual manner, well known in dentalwork, and are secured to the sprues 2%,. in the usual manner. The sprues25 are clamped within the bore l8. of the tubular coupling l6 by theinner reduced end portion 29 of a screw 30, having screw-threadedengagement within an opening 3|, formed in the pedestal l3, and anopening 32 formed in the tubular coupling IS. A lock-nut 33 ispreferably employed to lock the screw 30 against accidental turningmovement and this screw also preferably has a milled head 34. It is thusseen that the screw 30 serves to rigidly attach the tubular coupling l8to the pedestal l3 and also serves to rigidly clamp the sprues 26 to thetubular coupling, within the bore l8 thereof.

A guide lug 35 is rigidly attached to the tubular coupling I6,preferably diametrically opposite to the screw 30 and is adaptedforinsertion within a longitudinal slot 36. The purpose of this guide lugis to cause the openings 3| and 32 to register, when tubular coupling I6is inserted within the pedestal l3, thus enabling the screw 30 to beconveniently screwed into position.

Means are provided to hold the flask 20 upon the cover against upwarddisplacement, comprising a ring 31, adapted to be arranged beneath thecover l1, and above the screw 30. This ring carries arms 38, hinged at39, and these arms preferably have depressed portions 40, between theirends, for receiving a retractile element 4|, which may be in the form ofan elastic band. The arms 38 preferably have their free ends bentinwardly to produce overhanging extensions 42, to engage over the top ofthe flask 20.

The patterns 28, when used for casting dental inlays, are formed in theusual manner, and attached to the ends of the sprues. The elements ofthe apparatus are assembled, as shown in Figure 2, and the pedestal ismounted upon the vibrating support or board Ill. The investing material,in the plastic state, is preferably gradually poured into the flask 2!],while the support I0 is vibrating. This causes the investing material tobe vibrated or jarred and air bubbles and excess water will be separatedout so that the investing material will become dense and produce a mouldwhich is dense; This dense formation of the investingmaterial causes thewalls of the cavities of the finished mould to be free from pits oriregularities and to correspond accurately to the pattern or matrix.Instead of employing the supporting element as a pedestal and mountingthe same upon the vibrating element, such supporting element may bevused as a handle and maybe struck blows of sufiicient intensity, tovibrate or jar the investing material, to produce the desired results.During the vibrating action, the flask is securely held upon the cover,and the sprues held in the flask against displacement, and the patternsare properly held in position for producing the cavities in theinvesting material. The flask thus filled with the investing materialmay be separated from the pedestal and will remain upon the cover I!until the investing material has set. It is preferred to subject thesurfaces of the cover H, which are to contact with the investingmaterial and the wax 25, to a coating of oil, and when this has beendone and the investing material has set, the mould may be readilyseparated from the cover,

after the elastic band 4| has been removed and the arms 38 swung to theopen position. This separation is eifected in the usual manner, as bythe insertion of a blade between the adjacent ends of the flask andcover, to start the separation, the screw 30 not now having clampingengagement with the sprues 26, which may be readily withdrawn from thebore l8. The flask 20 and the mould have heretofore been in the invertedposition, but are now arranged top end up, so that the sprues may beconveniently removed. This may be done by gently heating each sprue tofree it from the wax 25, after which each sprue may be separated fromthe pattern or matrix, and the wax 25 and patterns 28 are removed fromthe mould by heating, as is well known, whereby the mould will have thedesired mould cavities, the crucible recess, and sprue holes leadingfrom the crucible recess to the mould cavities. The bolten metal is heldwithin the crucible recess and is forced into the cavities, through thesprue holes, by gas pressure, as is well known in the dental. art.

In Figure 5, I have shown apparatus identical with that shown in Figure2, except that the large bore IS in the tubular coupling is dispensed.with, and a small bore l8 substituted therefor, and this small bore isadapted to receive one straight sprue 26', clamped into position by thescrew 30. A plurality of short sprues 21 are anchored within the wax 25within the recess 24, and these short sprues have their inner endsarranged adjacent to or contacting with the long sprue 26. These spruescarry wax patterns or matrices or a single wax pattern or matrix toproduce the cavity or cavities in the mould. The holes formed by theseveral sprues, when removed, will establish communication between thecrucible recess and the cavity or cavities of the mould. All other partsremain identical with those shown and described in connection with thefirst form of the invention, as shown in Figure 2.

In Figures 6 and 7, I have shown apparatus which is identical with thatshown in Figure 5 except that the cover I! is elongated or ellipticaland the flask 4| has a corresponding elongated or elliptical shape. Theplurality of sprues are adapted to carry a large pattern or matrix, formoulding a large cavity, in casting a relatively large object in dentalwork, such as a plate, bridge, or the like. All other parts remainidentical with those shown and described in connection with the forms ofinvention shown in Figures 2 and 5.

In Figure 8, the apparatus shown is similar to that shown in Figure 2.The large bore l8, Figure 2, is dispensed with and a small bore |8a isemployed for receiving a single sprue 26a. The recess 24 is dispensedwith and the opening |8a passes through the upwardly bulging portion 22.This sprue carries one wax pattern or matrix. The flask 20 is taperedand increases in diameter downwardly, and this flask receives upon itsupper portion a ring 43, carrying resilient depending arms 44, providedwith curved extensions 45, to engage around or beneath the edge of thecover i1, and to be pressed inwardly by an elastic band 46 or the like.As stated, the single sprue 26a is arranged within the bore la, and thissprue is clamped into position by a screw 41, operating within ascrew-threaded, opening 48, formed in the tubular coupling l6, andhaving a milled head 49. This screw also extends through a slot 50,passing through the upper end of the pedestal I3, but having no screw- 7threaded engagement therewith. The guide bolt 35 and slot 36 areeliminated in this form of the invention. The pedestal I3 is detachablysecured to a base 49a, which has a screw-threaded opening 500., toreceive the lower screw-threaded end of the pedestal I3, as shown. Thedevice of Figure 8 is otherwise substantially identical with that shownin Figure 2.

In Figure 9, the flask 4 la is shown as cylindrical instead of tapered,and this flask is provided with an annular flange or rib 5|, so that thering 43 engages above the same. The numeral 52a. designates a preferablyhollow base, having an upper tubular screw-threaded portion 5311, whichdetachably receives the lower screwthreaded end of the pedestal l3, asshown. This form of device is otherwise identical with that shown inFigure 8.

It is to be understood that the forms of my invention herewith shown anddescribed are to be taken as preferred examples of the same, and thatvarious changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may beresorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or thescope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In apparatus for handling investing material to produce a mould, acover having a projection for forming the crucible recess in the mouldand also having an opening, a plurality of sprues having substantiallyparallel portions arranged within the opening, said sprues havinglaterally extending free end portions, the ends of which are spaced, aclamping screw for rigidly holding the substantially parallel portionsof the sprues within the opening, a flask mounted upon the cover forenclosing the sprues and to receive the investing material, and meansfor holding the flask upon the cover against displacement.

2. In apparatus for handling investing material to produce a mould, acover having a projection for forming the crucible recess in the mould,said cover having an opening and a recess in its projection, the openingleading into the recess, the recess being adapted to receive wax or thelike, a plurality of sprues extending through the recess and projectinginto the opening, said sprues having laterally projecting end portionsproviding spaced ends, means for clamp-'- ing the sprues within theopening, a flask mounted upon the cover for inclosing the sprues, andmeans to attach the flask to the cover.

3. In apparatus for vibrating or jarring investing material to produce amould, a cover having an opening and a recess leading into the opening,the recess being adapted to receive wax or the like, a supportingelement attached to the cover and adapted to serve as a handle orpedestal, a plurality of short and long sprues, the short sprues havingtheir inner ends imbedded in the wax or the like with the long sprueextending into the opening, means to clamp the long sprue within theopening, a flask to inclose the sprues and mounted upon the cover, andmeans to attach the flask to the cover.

4. In apparatus for vibrating or jarring investing material to produce amould, a supporting element adapted to serve as a pedestal and to bestood on end and having its upper portion tubular, a cover having meansto form a crucible recess in the mould and having an opening to receivea sprue, a coupling secured to the cover and adapted to be inserted inthe upper tubular portion of the supporting element, a clamping screwcarried by the coupling to engage the sprue,

and a flask mounted upon the cover to surround the sprue.

5. In apparatus for vibrating or jarring investing material to produce amould, a supporting element adapted to assume an upright position in useand having its upper portion tubular and provided with a longitudinalslot and a screw-threaded opening, a cover having means to provide acrucible recess in the mould and having an opening, a tubular couplingsecured to one side of the cover and having its bore in communicationwith the opening of the cover, the tubular coupling being adapted forinsertion within the upper tubularend of the supporting element, thetubuar coupling also having a screw-threaded opening adapted to registerwith the first named screw-threaded opening, a guide lug secured to thetubular coupling for insertion within the longitudinal slot to bring thescrewthreaded openings into registration, a sprue for insertion withinthe bore of the tubular coupling, a screw for engagement within thescrewthreaded openings and having a part to enter the bore of thetubular coupling to engage the sprue therein, and a flask mounted uponthe cover to surround the sprue.

6. In apparatus for vibrating or jarring investing material to produce amould, a supporting element adapted to assume an upright position in useand having its upper portion tubular and provided with a longitudinalslot, a cover having means to produce a crucible recess in the mould andto hold a sprue, a tubular coupling secured to the cover for insertionwithin the upper tubular end of the supporting element, a transversescrew carried by the coupling for holding the sprue in position andadapted for insertion within the slot, and a flask mounted upon thecover to inclose the sprue.

7. In apparatus for vibrating or jarring investing material to produce amould, a supporting element adapted to assume an upright position inuse, a cover mounted upon the upper end of the supporting element andhaving a part interlocking therewith, said cover extending radiallybeyond the supporting element and having means to produce a cruciblerecess in the mould and for holding a sprue, a flask mounted upon thecover, and a releasable device connecting the flask and cover includinga ring and adjustable arms carried thereby.

8. In apparatus for vibrating or jarring investing material to produce amould, a supporting element adapted to assume an upright position inuse, a cover mounted upon the upper end of the supporting element andextending laterally beyond the same and having means to produce acrucible recess in the mould and for holding a sprue. a flask mountedupon the cover, and a releasable device connecting the flask and coverincluding a ring and laterally adjustable arms carried thereby, andyielding means to draw the arms inwardly.

9. In apparatus for vibrating or jarring investing material to produce amould, a supporting element adapted to assume an upright position inuse, a cover mounted upon the upper end of the supporting element andextending laterally beyond the same, said cover having means forproducing a crucible recess in the mould and for holding a sprue, aflask mounted upon the cover, a ring arranged beneath and adjacent tothe cover, and adjustable armscarried by the ring and engaging theflask.

10. In apparatus for vibrating or jarring, investing material to producea mould, a supporting element adapted to assume an upright position inuse, a cover mounted upon the upper end of the supporting element andextending laterally beyond the same and having means for producing a.crucible recess in the mould and for holding a sprue, a flask mountedupon the cover, a ring arranged beneath'and adjacent to the cover, armshinged to the ring and extending upwardly to engage the flask, and aresilient element engaging the arms to draw them inwardly.

11. In apparatus for vibrating or jarring investing material to producea mould, a supporting element adapted to assume an upright posi tion inuse, a cover mounted upon the upper end of the supporting element andhaving means for producing a crucible recess in the mould and forholding a sprue, a flask mounted upon the cover, a ring engaging theflask, arms carried by the ring and engaging the cover, and yieldingmeans to move the arm inwardly.

12. In apparatus for vibrating or jarring investing material to producea mould, a supporting element adapted to assume an upright position inuse, a cover mounted upon the upper end of the supporting element andhaving means for holding a sprue, a flask mounted upon the cover andprovided upon its periphery with a rib, a ring surrounding the flask andengaging above the rib, arms carried by the ring and engaging ingelement, a flask mounted upon the cover to surround the sprue,'a base, acoupling secured to the base for insertion within the lower end of thetubular supporting element, and means to clamp the last named couplingin place within the tubular supporting element;

14. In apparatus for vibrating or jarring investing material to producea mould, a tubular supporting element adapted to serve as a pedestal, acover having means to form a crucible recess in the mould and having anopening to receive a sprue, a coupling secured to the cover and adaptedfor insertion 'in the upper end of the tubular supporting element, meansto clamp the coupling in'place within the tubular supporting element,and a base having a screwthreaded opening for receiving the lowerscrewthreaded end of the tubular supporting element.

SAMUEL L. JEFFERIES.

